February 03, 2019

While getting ready for A Lovebird's Song, I did a full on, happy new year, delve into the corners, serious cleaning.

I even washed and changed the curtains.

And rearranged some of the storage cabinets.

I went so far as to take everything off the tops of the furniture pieces, wipe it all down, and rearrange them too.

Originally, I was going to box up things to get them out of the way, and just set out some Valentine decorations.

But I got started on cleaning and just couldn't stop. I didn't even fill a single box of stuff to get things out of the way, I took care of each item by putting them away properly or getting rid of things I didn't want.

I even dusted branches on the ceiling. That is a rare occurrence.

(or should I say, a singular one?)

Afterwards, it felt so fresh and bright, I was pretty happy with myself.

The studio is basically just a workroom most of the year, and gets neglected when I am busy crafting.

I should invite people over more often, maybe I'd keep it tidier.

Because I sure am enjoying having it detailed!

Although, I have to admit, I was beyond exhausted when the party ended. I threw myself into prepping and cleaning for days ahead, then had an emergency with an icy driveway that had me spreading numerous, 40lb bags of salt on it, out there in the dark, cold, night before everyone arrived the next day.

And of course, I didn't have my trusty sidekicks, Terry and Guncle Randy to ease the labor load while I was teaching the projects.

And each year, I do get a teensy bit older.... That is a very hard one to admit. But I was feeling it!

Still, I adore doing these classes, even if I am a worn out, old lady when they end.

As were the cupcakes. But it wasn't all that clear unless you looked at the bottom of them.

Rainbow carrots were even cut into hearts.

(That might have been the moment when I realized it had gone over the top, it took longer than I thought it would, even with Kia helping. But it was kind of fun, even if it probably was not a good use of my time)

Of course, there were cookies cut out as hearts.

The Dove chocolates and Cadbury eggs aren't hearts, but they are "lovebird" themed.

The treat cabinet was strewn with hearts and roses from top to bottom.

Red isn't typically my color, but I do enjoy pops of it at Christmas and Valentines.

Especially when the red is rosey.

And while this calendar page on the Treat Cabinet door isn't purely Valentine's themed, it is from Jan.-Feb. and seemed to fit in perfectly.

Hearts made by Beth are hanging on the other door.

And LuWanda is dolled up in rhinestone birds on lace with a flocked wallpaper heart.

We had fruity iced tea in the Treat Cabinet, and in the kitchen, I set up a hot cocoa and hot tea station.

But to be honest, this is always here. We like to have the ingredients we need for tea or cocoa ready to roll. And the lace hearts? Those are year round too. I hung them up for Valentines Day a couple years ago and couldn't bring myself to take them down.

The chair covers were a very lucky find. I was at an estate sale for a closed catering business, and these brand new, never used, pink, pretties were only $1.50 each!

I almost didn't buy them, then came to my senses.

They were exactly what I needed, right?

Beth had just given me the pink napkins that match them, and the Guncles gifted me with the plates. Lots of sharing and love went into the table top.

Including flowers from our newest Peep, Amy.

Now that our day full of Peeps has passed, I think I need to throw a Valentine dinner party to enjoy all the decor some more.

January 28, 2019

I provide kits that contain everything needed to finish the projects as I have made the prototype, and then I set out a few extras, and encourage the guests to bring their own items to personalize.

And it makes me happy to see what everyone comes up with.

And while there is lots of laughter during the day, it is interesting to see how serious everyone gets at times while working hard to make their pieces.

Even Albie was taking it seriously.

The little dogs love it when the room is full of people ready to hold and pet them. They all got dressed up in their vintage kerchiefs for the occasion.

It is great to see everyone generously sharing with each other too. Many made valentines, purchased treats or cards to fill our gift bags.

(These were from Beth and she used THE GOOD STUFF!)

I set out old fashioned, paper bags with traditional, doily hearts for everyone to add treats too. The hearts feature quotes from Conversation Heart candy, and I made mini versions of the wing project to pin to the bags with cleft note brooches.

My contributions to the sacks included champagne gummy bears, candy, and Peeps.

Sugarwings gave each of the ladies one of handmade, hot glue, rose topped pencils.

Thank you to all of the attendees for spending their time with me at the cottage, for the kindness of the gifts, for the shared laughter.

January 25, 2019

My friend, Beth, gives me cool stuff she finds at estate sales. A while back, I got this domed piece from her, and tucked it away, not sure what I’d be using it for. When my studio got a deep cleaning in preparation for A Lovebird’s Song, I came across it and promptly sat down to make something from it.

Because what is more inspiring than a chance to avoid cleaning?

Sorry, no before pics. (I was excited to get busy avoiding my chores and couldn’t wait to start)

I’m sure you can picture it, plain, blonde wood base, with scraggly bits of floral foam glued to it. I painted the base and glued an old, metal lid to the center. The lid is covered in wallpaper. Around that, I drizzled a ton of glue and pressed moss into it. I cut small millinery blooms to add to the foreground, and larger ones for the back. They are all standing on their wire stems, not glued flat against the moss.

“Garden of Memories” was clipped from sheet music. I make a habit of cutting out interesting phrases from old text to have on hand when I need just the perfect words. These words were ideal for this garden, because the photo I used was from a fun play date with a friend, Karen- a lovely memory!

A couple of vintage butterflies were added the same way as the flowers. I glued their wires into the moss, instead of sticking them right onto it. Then, I bent the wires to make it look like they were flitting about.

The faye child sits on a wooden spool, covered in blooms, with a teensy bluebird of happiness by her side. Her dress is netting cut from a vintage gown, her antennae are flower stamens, her wings are old text.

She has added a little bitty, bright spot of spring to this gloomy, winter day.

January 13, 2019

Actually, it ends up being 4 classes, two on each day. And I wanted to switch up this "Pages Through Time" autograph book a little bit for the workshop at my home. So, I've made an example of it with the slight changes. The pictured one is just a little thicker than the actual pattern will be, since this book goes to my BFF, Beth. She is going to help out that day and is going to work on the premade book, creating examples of interior pages for the other attendees.

I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with. I always learn good tricks from her!

January 12, 2018

On Saturday, February 3rd, I'll be hosting two mini workshops in the studio. You have the option of attending the morning class, afternoon class, or both with a luncheon and card making session in between.

This sugared dove nests in a bundle of vintage netting set into a heart shaped tart tin. She features vintage laces and trims, ruffled crepe paper, and millinery blossoms picked from my garden of flowering hats.

(Due to the number of heart shaped tins that I gathered from estate sales, this class will be limited in size)

The afternoon class is a candy box, made from a small Russell Stover candy box transformed into a keepsake.

(And yes, the candy inside is for you!) This photo will be included (along with everything you need to complete your piece) but other old photos will be available to choose from if you'd care for another picture.

I will offer this one in:

Warm Whites

Rosey Pinks

Romantic Reds

We will paint the boxes, cover them in vintage papers, lace, and velvet ribbons before adding a lovely lady to the lid and adorning her with millinery blooms and rhinestones.

You will get a printed sheet of phrases in different fonts and sizes to pick the words that mean the most to you, so that you can personalize your artwork. Also feel free to bring anything from home to add to the piece and change it as you'd like. Since many of my supplies are vintage, the kits will vary a bit in looks, but will be equal in value.

The kits will be complete with all you need to create your heart shaped treasure. All you need to bring are scissors and glue. I'd suggest a regular pair of scissors and a small, detail pair too.

Sweets, and beverages will be served throughout the day, lunch and card making is included with both classes.

Love Bird:

9:30am til 11:30am,

11:30am- break

11:45- Valentine Card Making (Free time, with guidance if needed, make as many as you'd like. Examples will be on display to help get your creative juices flowing as you make your own holiday cards.)

1pm- lunch (home made, fresh, and organic)

Candy Box:

Please join the earlier class for card making at 11:45 and lunch at 1pm.

2:30- 4:30- class

Please come 10-15 minutes early to get settled.

Costs:

Bird/Cards/Lunch- $50

Cards/Lunch/Candy Box- $50

Combined day with both classes- $90

To sign up, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

I'd love to see you here!

PS- if you are looking for an excuse to visit the Kansas City area, the Old West Bottoms Antique District is open for their First Friday sale dates. It features some of the best junking you will find.

November 27, 2017

And I loved the week before, as I set up the party and decked the halls.

It is a tad bit early to have the Christmas sparkle going strong in the cottage, but I'm so happy to have it up and to be ready for the upcoming festivities.

Of course, the reason for setting it up early was extra special. It was great to hang out with my Peeps and kick off the season.

Normally, we eat in the garden during our Springtime Birdsongs, but it was more than chilly this time of year. I was able to set up three tables inside the cottage by shifting the furniture around in the living room.

Not too crowded for us, at all.

All of the meals were served buffet style, but for our big dinner on Friday night, we semi set the tables instead of having the plates on the buffet, just to make it special.

I'm not a traditional red and green Christmas person, but I do love flowers, and a touch of poinsettia red (with a cardinal!) can be sooo pretty. The bluebird of happiness place mats are from a shop in St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota. I was thinking of my Peeps when I was on vacation with my sisses in September.

Now, the guest have gone, the extra tables are all packed away, but the rest of the decorations are up and I'll be enjoying them throughout December.

I'll be savoring the memories of our special get together as I look at the ornaments, trees, and banners, and will be happy to have almost a whole extra month of Holiday Cheer by getting them up November 1st.

November 25, 2017

I sure had the BEST time ever at our party. Fun people like Lori and Guncle Randy who were sooooo helpful sure made it easy for me.

Lori and Lesa Dailey were teachers and had great classes. Lesa showed us how to make this elegant bird.

This necklace was Lori's concoction for us.

One of my classes was this banner.

My other class was making a couple of ornaments, then having free time with a table full of supplies to play with and create more ornaments.

I think the Peeps liked the pile of playthings, because between classes, they hung out and kept going. I love seeing a roomful of people in a creative frenzy!

I couldn't have done all of it without the Dream Team, of Guncle Randy, Terry, and Allisa who flew in from Florida, Utah, and Wyoming to make the weekend go by flawlessly with their behind the scenes hard work. Lori and Beth were here to help run the Holiday Shoppe in the garage.

But it was the Peeps themselves that make it great!

What a good group of ladies we had.

Some regulars...

And some newbies as well. Or should we have called them "fledgelings"?

Thank you, to all who attended and made this such a special time for me. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did!

PS- I'll be in Mexico(!!!!!!!!!!!!!) for a few days over Thanksgiving, but will have a limited number of extra kits to sell when I get back, along with some other holiday foofs.